Forster quick to find his feet as Ipswich skip past Crewe

Joe Royle was a relieved man after his decision to use Nicky Forster in the second half was vindicated as the Ipswich substitute secured a 2-1 win over Crewe, who sank to bottom of the table.

Forster had not played since a cartilage operation in August and was only on the field for eight minutes when he struck. "We were poor in the first half and knew the natives were restless," Royle said. "If we had lost we would have been looking anxiously below us. Instead we are one point off the play-off places."

Sheffield Wednesday lifted themselves off the bottom with a 3-2 win against Coventry at Hillsborough, Chris Brunt scoring two, a 25-yard volley and the other from the penalty spot. "He's got everything," said the manager Paul Sturrock. "He shoots, he is great in the air. If we can just get him doing that every week, I'll be very happy."

Tony Pulis achieved his first win as Plymouth's manager, beating his previous club Stoke City 2-1 at Home Park where he was applauded to the dug-out by both sets of fans. Akos Buzsaky, a Hungarian substitute, hit their winner with 13 minutes to go and lifted them to fifth bottom. "Now we have got to build on it," Pulis said. "What we need here at Plymouth is an understanding that the next 18 months is going to be really tough."

Brighton, seven draws in their previous 11 games, are above Wednesday only on goals scored after a 3-1 defeat by Norwich. "We need a 90-minute performance and not a 45-minute one," said the home manager Mark McGhee.

Swansea remained top of League One on goal difference from Southend after a 3-2 win against Blackpool, Lee Trundle's 10th league goal of the season getting the home side going. The Shrimpers are level after two goals from Mark Bentley secured all three points at Gillingham.

LeytonOrient moved to within a point of Grimsby at the top of League Two with a 3-1 win against Mansfield. The Cleethorpes club drew 0-0 at Shrewsbury but Wycombe could not capitalise, sharing six goals with Chester at Adams Park, Tommy Mooney and Michael Branch scoring two apiece. Carlisle conceded two own goals in a 3-1 loss to Bristol Rovers. They led but Kevin Gray and Zigor Aranalde put the ball past their own goalkeeper and Junior Agogo sealed it late on.